7 Best Refrigeration Design Software Solutions for 2026

A single miscalculation, whether in load calculation, suction line design, or pressure drop, can turn a profitable job into a loss, lead to emergency callbacks, or erode client confidence. 

Many refrigeration professionals in the past relied on manual calculations to get the job done. It worked well until systems became more complex, energy standards tightened, and customers demanded greater efficiency. 

That’s why refrigeration design software is no longer just helpful but required.

It can automatically calculate heat loads, simulate system performance before installation, optimize piping runs, and guide equipment selection with precision. Instead of guessing or reacting to issues, you prevent them.

In this blog post, we help you find the best refrigeration design software for your business. We’ll break down the core features to look out for before making a purchase.

Ready? Let's dive in!

1. ServiceTitan

Source: ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan integrates with Conduit Tech (a modern LiDAR design tool) to help HVAC professionals design, sell, and install high-efficiency heating and cooling systems more easily. 

Instead of spending hours manually taking measurements and making calculations, contractors can use Conduit's iPad-based platform to scan a home and gather all the necessary information in minutes.

Using LiDAR technology, the system quickly measures each room and creates accurate 2D floor plans and detailed 3D models of the home. It then performs load calculations to determine the exact heating and cooling capacity required for each space. 

Alongside the technical data, the platform also generates clean, customized sales materials that contractors can present to homeowners, allowing HVAC professionals to work more quickly and design properly sized systems. 

Best for: Residential HVAC contractors and Home Performance Pros who want to stand out during in-home visits, increase sales conversion on high-efficiency jobs, and streamline the transition from sales to installation.

Pros:

• Reduces Manual J load calculation time from hours to minutes.

• The ServiceTitan integration eliminates double data entry by syncing photos and reports directly into the customer’s account. Additionally, every detail automatically syncs to the cloud, uniting field and office teams.

• Calculations are ACCA-certified and powered by ASHRAE 2021 design data, ensuring they meet strict permitting and rebate requirements.

Cons:

• The advanced LiDAR features require an iPad Pro, which may necessitate additional hardware investment for sales teams.

• There’s a learning curve to the platform. While the interface is intuitive, a specialized onboarding process is required to master the LiDAR scanning and design tools.

• The platform requires a monthly subscription fee, which only becomes cost-effective if your team successfully uses its tools to sell more expensive, high-end systems.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of ServiceTitan’s refrigeration design capabilities:

Manual J Load Calculation

The Manual J load calculation determines the specific heating and cooling requirements of a home based on its unique construction.

Conduit performs these calculations using LiDAR-captured dimensions, property data, and ASHRAE climate information to ensure systems are never over- or undersized.

Instead of guessing the size of the air conditioning or heating system, this calculation considers all the key factors that affect indoor temperature. This includes building materials, infiltration rates, window specifications, climate zone information, property, and orientation. 

Then, it uses the official industry standards and weather data to calculate how much heat enters or leaves the home through walls, windows, ceilings, and other surfaces.

The result is a precise breakdown of how much heating and cooling each room needs, as well as the total requirement for the entire house, measured in BTUs. 

With this, contractors can know within minutes the exact size of equipment to install in the home or facility.

LiDAR Scanning

LiDAR scanning is a technology that enables contractors to take measurements using an iPad. Here’s what the process looks like when HVAC contractors use it on ServiceTitan’s mobile platform: 

• The built-in LiDAR sensor sends out tiny pulses of light and measures how long they take to bounce back after hitting walls, ceilings, furniture, and other surfaces. It does this multiple times to gather different measurement points.

• All of those points come together to form a 3D-point cloud of the building’s interior. 

• Because the sensor can detect objects up to about 15 feet away and measure distances with centimeter-level accuracy, it can capture room sizes, ceiling heights, window placements, and other structural features with precision.

So, instead of using complex tools or manual tape measurements, you can simply walk through the home with LiDAR on your mobile device. You even scan in sections, room by room or area by area, and later combine them into one complete model. 

The result is a clear, 3D layout of the entire space.

CFM Report

While a load calculation tells you how much cooling or heating you need, the CFM (cubic feet per minute) report tells you exactly how to deliver it through the air vents. 

It calculates the specific volume of air that must flow into each individual room every minute to keep the temperature even and comfortable. This ensures proper airflow distribution throughout the space, helping maintain consistent indoor comfort and preventing hot and cold spots. 

You can use this report to ensure ductwork is neither too small, which causes noisy vents and strained equipment, nor too large, which leads to weak airflow and hot areas.

Equipment Selection Guidance

Conduit Tech’s Equipment Selection Guidance acts like a professional matchmaking tool for buildings and their heating and cooling systems.

After scanning a space to see exactly how much heat it gains or loses, the app doesn’t just leave you with a bunch of numbers. Rather, it suggests the specific types of equipment that will work best for that space, based on the LiDAR scan.

That way, contractors install the right equipment, with the right dimensions.

2. KeepRite

Source: KeepRite

KeepRite Refrigeration helps contractors and facility managers design, select, and operate commercial cooling systems more easily. 

With the web-based solution, users can calculate the cooling required for a specific room or space. Once that’s determined, the system matches the load to the appropriate equipment.

Best for: Commercial refrigeration contractors and engineers who need to size evaporators, condensing units, and air-cooled condensers based on application loads and environmental conditions.

Pros:

• Selection tools use live engineering data to ensure that components such as evaporators and condensing units are perfectly matched.

• The online design and selection suite is provided as a free resource for contractors, significantly lowering costs.

• Provides clear energy ROI reports to prove financial payback.

Cons:

• The software is built for industry professionals. Users without a strong foundation in refrigeration cycles and thermodynamics may find the interface complex.

• While excellent for equipment selection, it lacks broader business management features such as dispatching, CRM, and native financial accounting found in all-in-one platforms.

Top features:

• ESP intuitive control technology: A control system that minimizes defrost cycles by up to 86 percent and provides remote system monitoring and diagnostics via text and email alerts.

• Online equipment selection suite: A robust web portal for sizing unit coolers, air-cooled condensers, and condensing units, featuring refrigerant and capacity-based filtering.

• Energy savings calculator: A specialized tool that discovers potential energy savings of as much as 15 to 20 percent by analyzing specific system configurations and geographic locations.

3. Coolselector2

Source: Coolselector2

Danfoss Coolselector 2 is a professional-grade, free simulation and selection tool designed to take the guesswork out of refrigeration system design. It’s widely considered an industry standard for engineers and technicians who need to optimize energy efficiency and ensure technical compatibility across cooling systems.

Best for: Design engineers, consultants, and senior refrigeration technicians who need high-precision thermodynamic calculations, pressure-drop analysis, and professional-grade documentation for projects.

Pros:

• The software is free to download and provides a user-friendly interface for designing, simulating, and optimizing, making it accessible for HVAC professionals and students.

• Generates detailed reports and component code lists, which simplifies the ordering process.

• Integration with Product Store for direct, easy ordering of components.

Cons:

• As a tool developed by Danfoss, it’s specifically designed to select Danfoss components, which may not be ideal for engineers looking for a wider variety of brands.

• To fully understand and leverage all the capabilities, users need to invest significant time in learning how to navigate the tool.

Top features:

• Accurate part sizing: The tool tells you the exact size needed for your pipes, valves, and compressors so your system runs perfectly without breaking down.

• System testing and saving: The software simulates how the whole system will run in the real world. It spots where you might be wasting electricity, helping you tweak the design to make it as energy-efficient as possible.

• Detailed lists and reports: Once your design is done, the software handles the boring paperwork. It creates a professional report you can show to clients, and you can export this list to make ordering parts fast and error-free.

• Easy-to-use dashboard: The software features a ‘Quick View’ window that shows all your most important numbers, like temperatures and flow speeds, in one spot. This enables you to quickly check on how the system is performing without digging through menus.

4. CoolTools

Source: CoolTools

CoolTools is a specialized toolkit that focuses entirely on the physics of cooling. 

The software lets engineers create a ‘digital twin’ of a system and test-run it on their computer to see exactly how it will perform in the real world before purchase.

It handles the complex thermodynamic calculations required for modern industrial projects, particularly as the industry shifts toward eco-friendly natural refrigerants.

Best for: Design engineers and technical consultants who require detailed, modular simulations for system design.

Pros:

• The software is built with a modular structure, allowing different components to be updated independently as new technologies emerge.

• The platform comes with extensive built-in support for new refrigerants and advanced cycle models that older industry tools often lack.

• Uses validated numerical models to calculate pressure drops in riser pipes and thermodynamic stability in air coolers, ensuring designs work in real-world conditions.

Cons:

• As the successor to CoolPack, it’s still a work in progress; some ‘experimental’ features require additional external licenses.

• The interface is focused on data and modeling rather than ‘user-friendliness’ for non-engineers; it carries a steep learning curve for general technicians.

Top features:

• Cycle analysis and comparison: Easily compare different refrigeration cycles, such as one-stage direct expansion versus flooded cycles, to determine the most efficient design for a project.

• Two-phase flow calculations: Advanced ability to calculate pressure drops for riser pipes using two-phase flow models, which is important for system longevity in large-scale builds.

• Cycle design and simulation: CoolTools allows engineers to build virtual models of complex systems to predict performance before an installation.

5. CoilDesigner

Source: CoilDesigner

CoilDesigner is a simulation tool for designing and optimizing air-to-refrigerant heat exchangers. 

Developed by Optimized Thermal Systems, it’s widely recognized by manufacturers and research institutions for its ability to model complex coil geometries and different refrigerants.

Best for: Heat exchanger manufacturers, R&D departments, and specialized engineering firms that need to design custom coils.

Pros:

• Offers extreme flexibility in coil geometry, allowing for the modeling of tube-fin, microchannel, and wire-fin designs without being tied to a specific manufacturer’s catalog.

• Features built-in genetic algorithms that can automatically search for the ‘perfect’ design, based on multiple objectives like cost, size, and heat transfer performance.

• Includes over 180 built-in correlations and deep integration with NIST’s REFPROP database, making it a leader for designing Carbondioxide, hydrocarbon, and low-GWP systems.

Cons:

• Users typically need several hours of training to master the nuances of solvers and correlations.

• The cost of licensing is significant compared to free tools from manufacturers.

Top features:

• Versatile modeling capabilities: The software lets you design and test a wide range of heat exchangers. Whether it's finned tubes, microchannel designs, or tube-in-tube systems, you can model them in one place. It also supports different fin shapes, so you can test how each design affects performance.

• Flexible circuitry design: You can decide exactly how the tubes connect inside the heat exchanger. Even complex or unusual layouts can be created using an easy visual interface.

• Comprehensive fluid library: The software includes many refrigerants and working fluids, such as common ones like R410A and R134a, Carbondioxide, and newer, environmentally friendly options. It also connects to NIST REFPROP for accurate fluid property data.

• Segment-by-segment modeling: Instead of treating the entire tube as a single piece, the software divides it into small sections and calculates what happens in each segment. This makes results more accurate, especially when liquid and gas phases mix.

6. Carrier Refrigerant Piping Design (RPD)

Source: Carrier Refrigerant Piping Design (RPD)

Carrier's Refrigerant Piping Design (RPD) is a specialized engineering utility within the Carrier eDesign Suite. It can be used to calculate the complex physics formulas tied to moving refrigerant and oil through a system, ensuring long-term compressor reliability and performance.

You can also use it to determine the optimal pipe sizes required to deliver refrigerant between system components (compressors, condensers, and evaporators). 

Best for: Commercial HVAC engineers and design-build contractors.

Pros:

• Calculations are strictly based on procedures and data from the ASHRAE Handbook, boosting confidence in the technical results.

• Automatically sizes single- and double-vertical risers to ensure oil is properly returned to the compressor.

• The software streamlines the design process by interpolating data from minimal user input, saving significant manual calculation time.

Cons:

• Unlike free manufacturer tools, RPD is part of a paid software program with initial license fees and annual renewals.

• Users on various platforms often note that the interface can feel outdated compared to modern 3D-modeling tools.

Top features:

• Comprehensive line sizing: Determines the minimum pipe size required for suction, liquid, and hot-gas discharge lines while staying within specified pressure-loss limits.

• Pressure drop evaluation: Allows users to manually enter pipe sizes to evaluate the resulting pressure drops, providing flexibility for custom designs.

• Reporting options: Generates detailed performance reports that can be printed, viewed in a dedicated viewer, or exported directly to Microsoft Word.

7. WinSim's DESIGN II For Windows

Source: WinSim

WinSim’s DESIGN II for Windows is a rigorous process simulator widely used for chemical and hydrocarbon processes. It’s a great tool for large-scale industrial refrigeration design, particularly for facilities involving ammonia, methanol, and complex gas processing.

Best for: Chemical and process engineers in the oil and gas, petrochemical, and industrial refrigeration sectors.

Pros:

• Users consistently praise the software for its speed, accuracy, and ability to handle complex simulations that would take weeks to run manually.

• Compared to other high-end process simulators like Aspen HYSYS or Petro-SIM, DESIGN II is noted for its affordability and high value-to-cost ratio.

• WinSim is highly regarded for its responsive and knowledgeable support team, which often provides email responses within hours.

Cons:

• While functional, some users find the Windows interface dated compared to modern, browser-based SaaS platforms.

• The software is designed for experienced engineers. Beginners may face a steep learning curve due to the complexity of the thermodynamic models and thermodynamic diagrams.

• Occasionally, users report runtime errors or freezing during high-intensity simulations.

Top features:

• Advanced thermodynamics: Features over 60 thermodynamic methods, including specialized options like COSTALD for liquid hydrocarbon density and four-phase calculations (vapor, hydrocarbon liquid, aqueous liquid, and solid).

• Inline Fortran: Enables users to set standards for custom process simulation by inserting Fortran code directly into the flowsheet for specialized calculations.

• Unlimited complexity: There is no practical limit to the size and complexity of the flowsheet, including the number of streams and unit operations.

What Are the Best Free Refrigeration Design Software Tools?

While enterprise-level software often requires a subscription, there is a powerful ecosystem of free tools that allow technicians to perform precision engineering using their phones or laptops:

• ServiceTitan refrigeration BTU calculator: ServiceTitan’s free web-based calculator is the fastest way for a contractor to determine the cooling load for a standard walk-in cooler or freezer. It translates complex thermodynamic variables into a simple, step-by-step form.

• Bitzer software: Bitzer software is widely considered the industry gold standard for selecting compressors, heat exchangers, and accessories. It is a robust, free desktop and web application that provides precise performance data for individual components and entire compound systems.

• Copeland (formerly Emerson) HVACR check and charge: The Copeland check-and-charge mobile app is an essential free tool for the commissioning and charging phase of design. It provides a digital interface for precise refrigerant management.

What Are the Best Refrigeration Design Apps for Small Trades Businesses?

For small trades businesses, the ideal refrigeration design app is one that offers mobile flexibility, low overhead, and accurate field calculations. These tools focus on bridging the gap between a service call and a professional proposal:

• ServiceTitan Refrigeration BTU Calculator: ServiceTitan's refrigeration BTU calculator is a free, web-based tool specifically designed for sizing walk-in coolers and freezers. For a small business, it replaces the need for complex, expensive desktop software when bidding on standard commercial jobs.

• Danfoss Ref Tools (formerly Refrigerant Slider): Widely considered the ‘Swiss Army Knife’ for refrigeration techs, Ref Tools is a comprehensive mobile suite that handles the technical heavy lifting of system setup and troubleshooting.

• Copeland HVACR check and charge: The check-and-charge app by Copeland is a specialized design and measurement tool focused on the precise charging of refrigeration and AC systems.

What Are the Best Refrigeration Design Software Tools for Large Trades Businesses?

The right software for large-scale refrigeration trades needs to handle complex engineering simulations, high-volume asset management, and strict regulatory compliance. 

Below are some examples of such a tool:

• ServiceTitan: ServiceTitan offers a specialized refrigeration BTU calculator that accounts for specific product temperatures and holding requirements. This enables technicians to generate accurate estimates in the field.

• Pack Calculation Pro (energy modeling and ROI analysis): For large trades, winning a contract often depends on proving long-term ROI. Pack Calculation Pro compares a full year of energy bills for your system designs, so you can easily prove to your client that your plan saves them money in the long run.

• Coolselector 2 (technical system optimization): Danfoss Coolselector 2 is the core engineering tool used to accurately design and optimize refrigeration and air-conditioning systems using Danfoss components. The software helps engineers select compressors, valves, heat exchangers, and other refrigeration components based on precise performance data. 

What Features to Look for in Refrigeration Design Software Systems?

Selecting the right refrigeration design system in 2026 requires paying attention to the following features: 

• Advanced load and BTU calculations: Beyond basic square footage, look for tools that support granular inputs, such as product load (e.g., cooling down fresh produce vs. frozen goods), insulation types, and ambient temperature variables.

• Automated refrigerant compliance (EPA 608): For large trades, manual refrigerant logging is a liability. Your software must automate leak rate calculations and maintain a digital chain for every ounce of gas used.

• Asset tagging and ‘Digital Twin’ records: The design process should produce a permanent digital record. Look for the ability to tag equipment with QR codes to store original design specs, commissioned photos, and manufacturer manuals.

• Real-time procurement integration: A design is only as good as the parts you can source. Your system should allow you to convert a technical bill of materials directly into a purchase order with real-time pricing and availability.

How to Choose the Best Refrigeration Design Software for Tradesmen

Here are some factors to look out for before subscribing to a refrigeration design tool: 

• ACCA-certified load calculation accuracy (Manual J compliance): Accurate load calculations are the foundation of good system design. Software that integrates ACCA Manual J load-calculation standards ensures heat gains and losses are properly calculated so systems are sized correctly.

• Speed of measurements and calculations: Refrigeration design software should help you gather measurements and run complex calculations without delay. Look for products that automate the entire process and update results in real time as you input changes. 

• Ease of use and technician adoption: Choose tools with intuitive interfaces and clear workflows that technicians can quickly adopt. For example, software with drag-and-drop layouts and well-organized menus can help reduce the onboarding time for your team.

• Equipment sizing and selection guidance: Aside from helping you take measurements and calculations, the right software should help you choose the right equipment that works well with your system. 

• Airflow (CFM) and duct design support: Choose software that lets you model CFM, duct runs, and pressure drops so you can optimize airflow for best performance. 

• Proposal and homeowner report generation: Look for software that automatically generates professional proposals, equipment lists, and reports. 

• Mobile, in-field functionality, and workflow integration: Consider how the tool fits into your everyday workflow. Tools with mobile and tablet support allow you to design, revise, and share plans on-site without returning to the office.

Over to You!

The best refrigeration design software depends on your workflow. Clarify what matters most to your operation, then choose the platform that complements your business needs.

If you’re unsure, you can try out the comprehensive refrigeration solution by ServiceTitan. The platform works great to ensure precision in both residential and commercial projects.

Ready to learn more about ServiceTitan? You can book a demo to see how it works. 

ServiceTitan is a comprehensive digital software solution designed to serve HVAC businesses. Using this software guarantees efficient operations, increased revenue, and substantial business growth. Our cloud-based platform is trusted globally by thousands of trade businesses.